My sleep that night was restless. I kept tossing and turning, waking up to any little sound, thinking that it was Trev returning home. By the time the sun rose, I had given up trying to get any rest, and the heartache I felt had turned into despondent anger.I grabbed a bathrobe figuring it was better than nothing and went to head downstairs. Outside my door, in a neat pile, was a fresh set of clothes. Warmed by her thoughtfulness, I made a mental note to thank Alyssa when I saw her. That thought was raised tenfold as I realized they were my own clothes. I was not sure how she had managed that, but I didn't complain. I appreciated Alyssa's help. Even if her bosom was slightly bigger than my own, making it hard to properly fill out her clothes.The best part was my cellphone sitting on top of the clothes. Its little green light was flashing steadily, indicating that I had a message from someone. I opened it quickly to find several missed calls from a number I didn't recognize and even m

"Vie! Stop calling me!"I breathed out a sigh of relief. "Bethany, listen, I forgot that paper of authorization you gave me to withdraw the money from your safety box."I spoke quickly, hoping she would not deny what I was saying."Vie, what did you do?" Bethany gasped in the phone."Oh," I giggle then winced a bit when it sounded a bit hysterical to my ears. "Nothing you have to stress on. They just need it today and I can't seem to get in without your approval.""Oh, Vie. Please tell me you didn't make a deal with them," she pleaded with me.I held my finger up to the teller."I'm so sorry. Apparently, the note is not the only thing I forgot. I'll be right back," I told her, with a comical roll of my eyes. She waved me away, her smile never failing.I stepped aside to where no one could overhear me."Look, Bethany. These men are giving us one chance to fix this. I have one hour left to get this money and get it to them or they'll go after Alyssa."There was dead silence on the other

I tried to shove the limp body off me, but there was something wrong with my arms. I raised them gingerly and only managed to catch a glimpse of the swelling and bruising before they flopped back down. I tried desperately to move them, but was horrified when one hand refused to move at all.A hysterical sob burst from my mouth, and I laid helpless underneath the body. Panic engulfed me again when the sound of pounding feet reached my ears. I struggled in earnest, once again, fearing that up next was going to be Antoine's companions. A pair of hands grabbed me as another shoved the body off me. I continued to scream and tried to kick, but I was so weak I resembled a worm on the end of a hook."Vie," a voice called.I whimpered, not wanting to respond to the perceived threat."Baby… it's Trev," came the soft voice again.My fear choked my mind and I took a second to respond. When I looked up, I saw Trev's face right in front of mine taking up my entire field of vision with his beautiful

A knock on my bedroom door several days later woke me long before I was ready. The doctor had prescribed me some pills to help me sleep and now the damn thing not let me wake up."Vie, I have the nurse out here. She'd like to meet with you for a few moments if you feel up to it," my mother called from the other side of the door."Ok," I slurred out.Fighting the urge to pass out again, I struggled for a few minutes to push myself upright in bed. A soft hand under my armpit helped me finish sitting upright. I looked up to see a face I never would have thought I would see again.Alyssa smiled back a secret smile. "Hello, Vie. Your mother has told me so much about you.""She has, has she?" I responded, trying hard to make sense of the odd way Alyssa was speaking to me."Vie, this is Nurse-""Alyssa, please," she interrupted before my mother could finish her introduction.I realized that is what was going on. She was acting as if we had never met. Relief filled me as the meds started letti

"C-can I help you?" I spat out, feeling as shy as I was the first time that I had met him."Can you help me?" he repeated softly."D-did you need something?""Need something?" he parroted.There was an edge to his voice that got to me as if he were angry at me. I swallowed down my fear and lifted my chin defiantly."Yes, did you need something? Or did you just come here to play a game of repeat? I'm very tired and would like to go home."I crossed my arms over my chest to appear nonchalant and not just to hide the horrible shaking of my hands."Oh, I'm sorry. Was your date too exhausting?" he sneered out.My jaw dropped. "How did you know about my date?"He let out a harsh laugh. "I saw the guy grope you before he left. The nicest thing I could assume was that he was your date.""Well, if it matters. Yes, he was my date and he was not groping me. He'd barely touched me.""I saw him kiss you!" Trev practically yelled.I sighed painfully, knowing that the time for reasoning had passed."